Surf News Network, 21 June, 2016: In partnership with the NSP and BARK race lines, Surftech will be used by many racers at the 20th anniversary Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Championships (M2O).

“Molokai-2-Oahu is the most prestigious race in the sport of paddleboarding,” said Rob Farrow vice president of marketing for Surftech. “Covering 32 miles of open ocean, there is no other race that demands such a high level of dedication and training from its athletes and we know the athletes demand quality in their equipment. This is why we value our commitment to the race and its competitors.

Surftech boards have crossed the M2O finish line numerous times under the command of many who have won their respective divisions over the years, as well as current and former champions like Jack Bark, Zeb Walsh, Carter Graves and the legendary Jamie Mitchell who owns the unprecedented winning streak of 10 consecutive world championships established between 2002 and 2011.

“M20 is the crowning achievement for paddlers around the world,” said two-time champion Jack Bark who won his titles on the BARK Commander Pro Elite stock board. “It gives our family a sense of pride to see so many men and women in the sport choosing our boards to cross the Ka’iwi Channel. Their feedback helps us build better shapes with Surftech.”

Surftech also is the North American distributor for NSP. Together, the brands have worked closely to develop programs that support the entire sport of paddling. NSP’s DC Ocean Race design was under the feet of Travis Grant when he claimed his second SUP title at M2O in 2015.

“Winning Molokai-2-Oahu was incredible, but crossing one of the most infamous channels between two Hawaiian islands is a special experience that unites all of us in the SUP and paddleboard world,” said Grant. “When companies like NSP and Surftech collaborate to push the evolution of the sport it benefits everyone whether you’re new to the sport or an experienced pro.”

Nearly 20 years ago, as a small group of surfers stood on the shore of Moloka’i about to attempt the first race to O’ahu, they were armed with stock versions of the traditional or prone paddleboard. SUP was introduced to M2O in 2006, creating the world’s first event to showcase top talent in paddleboarding’s two disciplines. Race founder Mike Takahashi competed in the first M2O and has watched the evolution of the sport over the past two decades.

“It’s amazing to see what the men and women are accomplishing today and the exponential growth of the sport,” said Takahashi. “I don’t think any one of us in the first race knew global surf brands would be supporting the race and creating the kind of shapes we’re seeing today.” With growth comes innovation and it’s been exciting to see the channel, with its downwind conditions, be part of the development both in SUP and prone.